Matt "HogHead" Holmes Medical Fund Benefit - October 22, 2011 in Kilgore, TX

[Disco]

Hey everybody, I'm posting this to give as much advance notice as possible.  You can help even if you can't be there in person.  Thanks, Disco

[Disco]

MATT HOLMES MEDICAL FUND BENEFIT

OCTOBER 22, 2011

6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.

BODACIOUS BBQ located @ I-20 & Hwy 42 in Kilgore, TX

$15.00 DONATION

Includes dinner, music & door prizes

Contact: Barbara 903-808-3141 (lives in Longview) or Brenda 903-445-0753 (lives in Dallas)

(Ticket required to enter)

 

RAFFLE TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE

$5.00 each or 6 for $25.00

Remington 1187, 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun, Camo finish

Acer Notebook 15.6 screen, w/windows 7

Master Smith Series LTD. Hunting Knife (Designer John Fitch No. 399 of 500)

Donations can be made to the Matthew Holmes Medical Fund at the Austin Bank, Kilgore TX, or mailed to P.O. Box 72, Laird Hill, TX 75666

[Disco Edit] If you have anything you think might make a good raffle ticket prize, I'm sure Barbara or Brenda would love to hear from you. [/Disco Edit]

[Disco]

As told by someone very close to Matt...

Matthew (Hoghead) Holmes is a 52 year old father of three.  He and his wife, DeAnn, have been married for 17 years.  Matt and his family have lived in Kilgore, Texas since 1998. 

Matt has been a locomotive engineer for Union Pacific Railroad for the past 32 years.  He is a member of the East Texas Chapter of the Patriot Guard Riders since 2008 and is a member of the Texas Chapter of the Valkyrie Riders Cruisers Club for the past year.

Matt is also an avid runner, competing in several 5K benefit runs across the state.  He has taken great pride in taking care of his physical body for some 20 years now. 

In June of this year, while training for an upcoming marathon, Matt began to experience some pain in his back.  After two weeks of trying to work through the pain, he went to seek medical attention.  Matt had several tests done, including x-ray, MRI, Full Body Scan, and blood tests.  His PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test returned a score of 95, not 9.5, a 95 (5 less than 100).  He was prescribed antibiotics to treat it as an infection and referred to a Urologist.  Eight days later, he and his wife faced the most difficult news in their lifetime.  Matt was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.  Within the next few days, and doctor after doctor, it was determined that the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes in the pelvic area and into two of the vertebrae of his back. This news would rate his cancer as stage 4.

Matt was placed on a hormone blocker on August 1st and sent home.  His progress, according to conventional medicine, will be determined by monitoring his PSA score.  Matt and his wife were given the dreaded life span statistics as 18 months to 3 years.  At this point, both Matt and DeAnn began doing research and reaching out to anyone and everyone for insight into alternative cancer treatments.  Finally, after much prayer and persistence, the answers began to surface.  Matt was introduced to an Alternative Cancer specialist and his treatment began on September 6th.  Of course, most of you know that Alternative Treatments are not recognized by insurance companies and claims are not eligible for reimbursement.  Although, ultimately, alternative medicine is not as costly as conventional medicine, without the help on insurance, the cost is adding up very fast.

Matt and his wife have reached out within their circle of family and friends to ask for help.  Having raised their family without any outside help, this decision was very humbling for them both. But, as most will agree, there is no limit to what one will do to try to save the lives of those they love.  And there is nothing a person will not do to remain in the presence of the people they love, for a long as possible. 

[SideCar]

Thanks, Dave. A good chance to help someone out.

[Westsider]

haven't meet you Matt but will keep you and your familey in our thoughts along with my b.i.l. who is going under the knife at the end of the month for the same thing...Paul.

[Disco]

I received the following in an email from Barbara (lives in Longview).

Any PayPal member can send money to any e-mail account by:
 
1. Logging into their PayPal account.
2. Go to Send Money Tab
3. Enter E-mail address of recipient
4. Go to Sending Personal
5. Check Gift box
6. Enter amount
7. Send
 
Matthew Holmes e-mail address: mad holmes1 @ dishmail . net (take out the spaces)

[Hoghead]

I would like to thank everyone for the Prayers, messages, and your unselfish attention to my illness. I am honored among friends that care so much for one another. I am so so grateful.

 I rode my bike yesterday for the first time in 2 1/2 months. I was surprised the battery was still charged and I was proud of her. Just after a few trys, she fired right off and ran perfect.  :cooldude:I rode with some friends to Kilgore for our weekly PGR dinner and got some nice cheers from my friends when they saw me riding. It will be a while after Monday before I can ride again as I am having hernia surgery. I hope to see some Valks at the benefit. Thanks again everyone, Matt   

[Red Diamond]

   +1

[franco6]

HOGHEAD All the Best!

[Ghillie]

bump

[flamingobabe #44]

we will not be able to attend....good luck...prayers for your longivity and recovery...Mark & Charlyne...aka hotglue & flamingobabe

[chauffeur]

Weather permitting, we plan on attending.  Hang in there, Matt.

[5_19]

Bump,

Looking in my cristal ball................looks like I will be able to make it also!
TJ

[RainMaker]

I'm planning on going.  Any thought on a meetup point to ride over?

[Disco]

Actually, there has been some talk of a carpool out and back to avoid the night ride...   

[5_19]

Actually, there has been some talk of a carpool out and back to avoid the night ride...   

  Nice of you to come pick me up! Will you bring me home also? 
I was thinking about spending the night or leaving by 7 pm, because it takes me about 4 hours to ride 235 miles at night without stopping for fuel.

[Disco]

If I'm driving, you know Dublin is on the way from DFW to Kilgore!

[Stormrider65]

I will be going out there for sure.  I would like to ride out there.  Anyone interested in hooking up??? I'm game, weather permitting, of course.

Walt

[Hoghead]

I understand the concerns of night riding. Especially on Sat. night. But, if anyone is interested in doing an E Tx ride the PGR is doing a fun run for me that Sat @ 3pm from the BBQ place. If anyone would like to do it send me a PM and your email.
I have had a good weekend with some slight pain from my surgery. I still cant ride for another few weeks.  :'(
I have recently updated my website. www.caringbridge.org/visit/mwholmes
Thank you everyone for you prayers and support.
Ride Safe, Matt

[RainMaker]

I will be going out there for sure.  I would like to ride out there.  Anyone interested in hooking up??? I'm game, weather permitting, of course.

Walt

I'm a riding - no cage driving for my buddy Hoghead's dinner!  

[5_19]

Isn't their a Starbucks in Terrel I20 and 34. That would be a good  final meet-up location after the DFW MetroMess.  RM I can come up either by 377 into Benbrook or 67 into Duncanville. I would be fine meeting up in Terrell.

Also I wouldn't mind leaving earlier and go on that PRG ride, see ya'll in Terrell at noon? ~TJ

[RainMaker]

My plans are at a standstill as I was just informed that my son needs my assistance in moving from Waco back to Arlington as he is now working at the Dallas Federal Courthouse.  He has to move this weekend.  So that shoots down my plans for the trip to Kilgore.

Sorry, Matt.  I would love to be there but family calls.

RainMaker

[Hoghead]

Here are the details of the fun run. We've added a Fun Run to Matt Holmes's Medical Benefit. The benefit is set for Sat. 10-22-11 @ 6 pm the fun run will take place at 3 pm that same day. I will have a table set up in the parking lot of Bodacious BBQ [I-20 and hwy 42 Kilgore Tx] @ 2 pm a $10 fee per person with a 50/50 drawing during the dinner that evening. See ya there..

I understand Mark. Family has gotten in the way of many a good bike ride. 

[Six Guns]

TJ,

  I've been trying to call you on your cellphone but no answer yet. I'm trying to get Cowboy and Jerry to ride with me out to Kilgore on Saturday. Would you like some company riding out? Call me and we can talk about meeting location and time. Walt, I know your in the Fort Worth area, so you are welcome to ride along with us as well. When TJ and I come up with a meeting location and time I will post it here.     

[Six Guns]

I talked to TJ and here is the plan for Saturday. Whoever wants to go from the west side (Fort Worth) to Kilgore, we will meet at the Racetrac gas station next to WalMart in Benbrook on Hwy 377 South. Cowboy, myself, TJ, Walt (if you wanna ride with us), and hopefully Jerry, if he gets his bike out of the shop in time. KSU at 3:30PM from the Racetrac gas station headed for Kilgore, TX.. Any one else from the westside that wants to ride, please meet us there. See everyone on Saturday.     

[Stormrider65]

I look forward to riding with everyone.  See ya there Saturday.

Walt

[Six Guns]

It says you need a ticket to enter the event. Can we buy tickets when we get there? Don't want to ride all the way to the event and not be able to eat BBQ.     

[Disco]

Yes, tickets will be available at the door.   

Hoghead also mentioned that, if anyone gets an early start, folks will be hanging out at his house all day and to feel free to stop by. 

[Hoghead]

If you need a ticket at the door, please give Barbara a text with how many so she can let the BBQ place know. 903-808-3141. Thanks

[Hoghead]

 Bodacious BBQ 7180 State Highway 42 N, Kilgore, TX 75662
(903) 983-1421

[Six Guns]

I just got off the phone with Barbara and gave her a headcount of how many were coming from the Fort Worth area.       

[5_19]

I just got off the phone with Barbara and gave her a headcount of how many were coming from the Fort Worth area.       

Victor did you count me for TWO? .............I am planning on arriving really hungry! Just kidding! Thanks for calling. 

[Six Guns]

I found out that Jerry has to go to San Francisco on Saturday, so he won't be able to make the ride. I guess you will have to eat for two.     

[Disco]

Valkpilot, BnB Tom, and I are meeting at the 7-11 in the SE quadrant of Custer & 380 at 0900.  We'll take a meandering non-635 and hopefully non-I-30 route out to Hoghead's house for some pre-bbq hangout time.  If anyone wants to meetup and ride with, come on!

[Hoghead]

I just want to update all of you on whats going on with me. First of all I went on my first long ride today since my hernia surgery.  Rode on a PGR mission to Athens. I was a all day affair and I just got home. My hernia didn't bother me any but my back is hurting some now and I am fatigued. It was my first PGR mission since my cancer diagnoses back in July. There were 2 other Valkyries there. One guy had just bought his from my favorite bike shop in Tyler with less than 50 miles on it The other guy had a nice 97 red and white standard that he got a great deal on. I hope that we have 2 new VRCC members.
I had a new PSA test done 2 weeeks ago and it went up from a 87 to a 90. I'm trying not to be to alarmed about it but it has prompted me to do something different. I am leaving Tuesday morning for Tulsa OK to the Cancer Treatment Center of America to stay 3 - 5 days for more testing and surely a new treatment plan. There statistics are some of the best I've seen. For those who don't already know, you can read my story and updates on caringbridge.org/visit/mwholmes   Thank you all for your prayers and support, Matt

[Hoghead]

I just wanted to let everyone know that the raffle drawing was done and I'm am sad that I didn't get to call one of my VRCC friends. A police officer from Kilgore won the gun. A PGR rider from Henderson won the knife, and one of my co-workers from the railroad won the laptop. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you for your support, donations and prayers.
I have been in Tulsa OK at the Cancer treatment center of America since Tues for more testing and will get the full results today from the oncologist. I did find out yesterday that my PSA has dropped from a 91 to a 58 in just 2 weeks. It had only dropped from a 105 to a 91 in the previous 3 months.
I will update ASAP when I get more good news today. Hope to ride with all of you soon.
Ride Safe, Matt

[HayHauler]

Great news Matt!!!  Good luck up in Yankee land with the tests.  91 down to 58 sounds like great progress. 

Keep us in the loop. 

Hay
Jimmy

[jimnvalk]

yes great news, Matt.  Like a policeman needs another gun    keep us updated

[john]

i saw one guy at the end of  our  table with a 1.5 inch stack of tickets ...           
         run with it matthew ....       
our best to you and yours   ......